Text 1. Drugs

When we speak about drugs, we normally mean the soft drugs marijuana and hash(ish) and hard drugs like heroin, cocaine or crack. But there are many more drags available, like opium, LSD, etc. Some are even used medically, for example morphine or barbiturates: only the continued abuse of such medical drugs is really dangerous.

Not only hard drugs but also soft drugs have harmful consequences for people's health. They are habit-forming and alter patterns of mood, thought and behavior. No matter whether the drugs are taken as a pills, smoked, snorted or injected intra venously, they will sooner or late lead to physical, psychological and mental dependence and consequently to addiction. Drugs cannot be taken in a moderate and controlled way over a long period because no drug is non-addictive. Once stronger doses of soft drugs are needed, the use of hard drugs often becomes inevitable.

There is an alarming tendency among more and more - mainly young - people to:

1) become addicted to drugs;

2) start by using hard drugs (bypassing marijuana and hash);

3) start taking drugs very early (some even at the age of 10 or 12);

4) die of a drug overdose before reaching the age of 30;

5) have easy access to drugs which are supplied in large quantities;

6) take drugs even if they live in small towns or in the country and not in big cities where this is more common;

7) mix "cocktails" to make the intoxicating or narcotic effect stronger and to intensify the euphoric feelings induced by drugs;

8) switch to cheaper but even more dangerous synthetic drugs, which are also more addictive;

9) commit drug related crimes to get money to support their habit.

Exercise 1. Discuss the following:

− Drugs addicts tend to die before reaching the age of 30. How can the society help combat drug abuse?

− What do you think of more research into the psychological and social reasons for drug abuse so that the roots of the problem can be tackled?

Exercise 2. Make a list of all the illegal drugs that you know.

ü Which of those are soft drugs and which are hard drugs?

ü Which of the drugs in your list are dangerous? How dangerous are they?

ü Do you know different names for the same drug?

Exercise 3. Do you know what the following mean?

roll a joint get high smoke dope snort cocaine

become addicted overdose come off drugs an addict

Exercise 4. Discuss the following:

ü What is the law in your country regarding drugs – both possession of drugs and drug dealing?

ü Are there any drugs in your list that you think should be made legal? Which ones and why?

Exercise 5. As you read through the article think of the answer to this question: If you were on the panel, would you have come to the same conclusion?

GRASS IS GOOD FOR YOU

A panel of doctors, economists, parents and police officers in the United States has decided that drugs should be made legal. Their conclusions took into account factors of crime, medicine and even prison space.

“We have a prison population of over l0 million in this country. Many of those are in jail for drug-related crime, such as the sale or possession of illegal substances”, said an officer of the Chicago Police Force. Because of new, tough laws, currently 3 out of 5 people in prison are there because of drug-related crimes, which means little space is left for violent criminals, the ones the public would really like to see locked away.

But there were more reasons raised for legalizing drugs. “There are cancer patients out there who are wandering around dark streets at night trying to buy marijuana for pain relief,” said one of the doctors on the panel. “They should be able to get what they need without entering the criminal underworld.”

The effectiveness of marijuana on patients going through chemotherapy has long been known by the medical profession, but political conservatives still raise opposition. One senator spoke out against the panel’s conclusions. “I can sympathize with the patients, but the fact is, marijuana is addictive and harmful and we don’t want that kind of thing in our communities,” he said.

But the panel disagreed. They argued that, although marijuana was admittedly a potentially addictive substance, research has proved that legal substances such as nicotine and alcohol are far more addictive and harmful. “Marijuana actually does some good. The same cannot be said of cigarettes and alcohol.”

On other substances, the panel agreed that drugs such as heroin and cocaine did not serve the community in the same way marijuana could, but argued that keeping those substances illegal meant money for criminals. “We don't have people shooting each other over tequila or controlling prostitutes with Marlboros,” said a teacher on the panel. “Keeping drugs illegal allows people to do illegal things.”

The panel will shortly be presenting its findings to the government.

Exercise 5.1. What were some of the reasons for legalizing drugs mentioned in the article? Tick those which were mentioned in the article:

1. Drugs can help people who are ill.

2. Drugs keep criminals in business.

3. Making drugs legal means that they can be taxed, and that means revenue for the government.

4. Drug-trafficking is not as serious as violent crime, according to many people.

5. Legalizing drugs could make the job of law enforcement officers much easier.

6. Alcohol and cigarettes are more addictive and more harmful and are already legal.

How many of those six points do you agree with?

Exercise 6. Use the following words to complete the sentences below:

illegal addictive immediate beneficial

long-term damaging legal designer

1. Cigarette smoking is more.... to your health than smoking marijuana or cannabis.

2. Nicotine is more.... than marijuana.

3. Marijuana can have very.... effects on cancer patients, helping them through chemotherapy.

4. The.... effects of smoking dope are well-known – feeling extremely carefree and related. The.... effects are less clear.

5. How can it be.... for a l6-year-old to buy and smoke cigarettes when at the same time it is.... for a 21-year-old to buy and smoke marijuana? It's crazy!

6. One of the biggest dangers today is the so-called.... drugs which young people use at discos and parties.

Exercise 7. Do you agree with the following opinions? Discuss them in small groups:

1. Getting high on a joint is less dangerous than getting drunk.

2. People who smoke dope change their personality over time. They become irresponsible, unreliable and ruin their lives.

3. The drug laws in our country are already too relaxed. They should be far stricter. Fine people for a first offence and then send them to prison if they re-offend. It's the only way.

4. Experimenting with drugs is OK. You just need to know when to stop.

5. Soft drugs lead to hard drugs. Just don't even think of starting!

6. More people die from alcohol-related problems or accidents than drug related problems. Statistically, drugs are safer than alcohol.

7. All recreational drugs should be made legal for adults. That would immediately stop related crime.

8. Some countries in the Far East have the right idea – execute all drug dealers. That would soon stop the drugs trade.

Exercise 8. Discuss the following:

ü Have you ever tried drugs? Do you know anyone who has? Which ones?

ü Do you know where to get drugs in your town?

ü What problems have you seen in your community caused by drugs?

ü What would be the effect of legalizing drugs? Take two minutes to think of three implications. Then tell your group what you have thought of.